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An illegal sand mining site in Limpopo.
Eleven people have been arrested in connection with illegal sand mining and for being in the country illegally.
The suspects were arrested in the Sekhukhune, Mopani and Vhembe districts in Limpopo during Operation Vala Umgodi.
The operation led to the arrest of six suspects for charges of contravention of immigration laws, fraud and bribery.
#sapsLIM The ongoing Operation Vala Umgodi activated across the districts in the Limpopo province led to the arrest of six suspects for charges of contravention of immigration laws, fraud and bribery, on 24/04. The suspects will soon appear before the local Magistrate’s Court. NP… pic.twitter.com/mIOZArHfh9
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) April 26, 2025
Police say the suspects will soon appear in court and an official investigation into the matter has been launched.
Police spokesperson Malesela Ledwaba says officers have also confiscated trucks and mining equipment.
“Members of Operation Vala Umgodi deployed at the area spotted the suspects busy loading sand in the trucks at Luckau Village. They approached the suspects, who did not have permits to mine in the area. Two white Mercedes Benz trucks, white Toyota Dyna truck, four pickaxes, eleven shovels, and five spades were confiscated during the arrest. Meanwhile, seven suspects aged between 20 and 47 were arrested for being illegal immigrants at the Letsitele Poling area under the Mopani district and Musina Policing area under the Vhembe district.”
Meanwhile, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister, Gwede Mantashe, has described illegal mining as an attack on the economy.
Mantashe says that those involved in the activity should be treated as criminals.
